ITV star admits she’ll ‘probably regret’ quitting role after 14 years

Emily Bashforth

Published December 24, 2024 4:48pm Updated December 24, 2024 4:48pm

Brenda Blethyn as Vera, ITV — Brenda Blethyn is leaving Vera after 14 years (Picture: ITV)

Brenda Blethyn senses she will ‘regret’ stepping down from her iconic role in ITV series Vera, having played detective for 14 years.

Earlier this year, Brenda, 78, announced that she was ‘semi-retiring’ after leaving the drama to spend more time with her family.

This includes her husband of 14 years, Michael Mayhew, as filming in the North East kept them apart.

Speaking about bowing out as DCI Vera Stanhope, she admitted that despite her reservations, she knew it was the right thing to do.

Brenda told Saga Magazine: ‘I shall probably regret the decision soon, but Vera takes up quite a lot of my time.

‘Filming a series means six months of the year away from home.

From ITV Studios VERA SR9 Episode 1 Pictured: BRENDA BLETHYN as DCI Vera Stanhope. This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Plc Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures For further information please contact: Patrick.smith@itv.com 0207 1573044 — She’s played the detective since 2011 (Picture: ITV)

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Brenda Blethyn during the NTAs 2024 at The O2 Arena on September 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for the NTA's) — Brenda is now hoping to spend more time with her family (Picture: John Phillips/Getty Images for the NTAs)

Brenda Blethyn and boyfriend Michael Mayhew during Opening Night of "Night, Mother" on Broadway at The Royale Theater then Tavern on The Green in New York, NY, United States. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic) — She’s been in a relationship with Michael Mayhew since 1975 (Picture: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)

‘The people I work with do feel like family, but I’ve also got my own family down south.’

Brenda explained that she had not spent a summer at home for the last decade, meaning it was music to Michael’s ears when she confirmed her departure.

‘Michael’s face lit up when I told him [I was going to quit],’ she recalled.

‘I could tell he was kind of pleased I might be around a bit more, though he wouldn’t have imposed that on me.’

Fans of Vera can begin saying their final goodbyes on January 1 when Brenda’s last series airs, while a special documentary, Vera: Farewell Pet, will be shown on January 3.

They can also rest assured that it won’t be an easy watch for Brenda herself either, who added that she was ‘struggling to drag [herself] away’ after being part of the programme for so long.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Brenda Blethyn attends the NTAs 2024 at The O2 Arena on September 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for the NTA's) — The actress admits that filming for six months of the year has taken a toll (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for the NTAs)

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by ITV/Shutterstock (1379902dc) Brenda Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope 'Vera' TV Programme - 2011 TELLING TALES VERA also stars Wunmi Mosaku as DC Holly, Paul Ritter as a Forensic Pathologist Billy Cartwright, Juliet Aubrey and Murray Head as Peter and Felicity Calvert, Patrick Toomey as Samuel Parr, Paul Higgins as Clive Stringer and Colin Conway as Davy Sharp. — Brenda took some special souvenirs with her from set (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

She shared: ‘It was a hard decision, and come March, when I would normally be getting ready to go back up there, I’ll probably be crying.’

However, ‘as much as [she] loved’ playing Vera, she acknowledges that it was ‘time’ to hang up the raincoat.

Oh, but she took that with her – how could she not?

Quizzed on any trinkets she stole from set to remember the character by, Brenda confessed that she’s got Vera’s mac, as well as her hat and a tweed coat.

Will you be sad to see Vera go?Comment Now

While they tied the knot in 2010, Brenda and art director Michael have been together for almost 50 years, as he’s been her partner since 1975.

Asked what the secret to their long relationship is, Brenda had a rather comical answer.

‘Two bathrooms. Two different rooms with a television too, so you can watch whatever you want. No arguments. You don’t want someone rabbiting on while you’re engrossed in an episode of Vera, do you?’

The final series of Vera airs on January 1 and January 2 at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Vera: Farewell Pet will air on January 3 at 9pm.

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